What Is A Pack Walk?
First off, let’s define what we mean by “pack walk.” The term is used loosely in the dog world, but for our purposes, we're describing a situation where a lot of dogs are walked together, on leash and in very close proximity. Many dog walking companies offer this type of service, and you may have seen photos online of "pack walkers" with 8, 10, 12, or even more dogs being walked by one handler. Pack walks are organized events in some places, where a large group of dogs and their guardians gather and walk in close proximity to each other.
Pack walks are often marketed as a way to improve your dog’s behavior, provide mental stimulation, or help dogs learn how to make “better choices” around other dogs or environmental triggers. The messaging can sound appealing - who wouldn’t want a calmer, more well-behaved dog? The term pack walk can even sound reassuring - evoking the idea that dogs are meant to move together as a group, like a wild pack. This language can make it hard for the average dog guardian to discern whether these walks are truly beneficial - or problematic.
What's really going on during a pack walk? Let’s break it down.
Why Pack Walks Are a Problem
1. They Rely on the Suppression of Behavior
Next time you see a photo or video from a pack walk, look closely. Often the dogs are being walked on restrictive or aversive equipment. You may notice signs of stress, such as whale eye (whites of the eyes showing), facial tension around the eyes or mouth, lip licks, yawning, or ears pinned back. Photos don’t tell the whole story, and body language can be subtle and highly variable, but these are pieces of the puzzle that we can use to get the whole picture.
The behavior we see from dogs on a pack walk is frequently interpreted as “calm” or “obedient.” But what we’re typically seeing is a narrowing of the aperture of what behaviors are allowed. Why? Because any deviation from walking in a straight line at a uniform pace - sniffing, changing direction, slowing down, or stopping to observe, process, or engage with the environment - is likely to be met with a correction. The result? A version of your dog who may look calm or “well-behaved”, but internally, may be stressed, overwhelmed, or simply learning that their natural behavior doesn’t lead to safety or relief.
Yes, it’s difficult to walk a bunch of dogs at the same time on leash - especially when they all have different needs, preferences, and paces. But the ability to walk eight, ten, or twelve dogs in lockstep shouldn’t be mistaken for skill. More often than not, it signals the use of behavior suppression and aversive tools - not a deep understanding of dog behavior.
2. They impact the dog-human relationship
Dogs use their behavior to communicate how they’re feeling - mentally, emotionally, and physically. I don’t know about you, but I want to know how my dog is feeling. And since dogs can’t talk, observing their behavior is the best way I know to do that. When I’m out on a walk with my dog, I observe when he pauses, changes direction or speed, air scents, sniffs the ground, freezes, lifts a paw, or shifts his ears or tail. These subtle signals can give me clues about how my dog is feeling, and I can make adjustments accordingly.
On a pack walk, much of that communication gets ignored at best, or shut down. Dogs quickly learn that expressing themselves can lead to discomfort or punishment. If a dog is corrected for reacting to something they’re unsure about or afraid of, they may stop showing outward signs of discomfort - but that doesn’t mean they feel safe. It just means they’ve learned their behavior won’t lead to relief. This kind of learned helplessness is not just unfair - it’s harmful. Instead of seeing us as a source of safety and support, our dogs may begin to see us as unpredictable or even threatening. And when they no longer trust us to advocate for them or respond to their needs, the foundation of the relationship starts to crack.
I think one of the greatest privileges we have as dog guardians is the opportunity to learn how to communicate with another species. When we shut down their communication, we rob ourselves of that opportunity. We lose the chance to learn from them - and more importantly, they lose the ability to use their behavior to influence outcomes, which is the foundation of behavioral health. In my view, it cheapens the relationship, strips it of the richness it could hold, and damages the trust that should be at its foundation.
3. They Ignore Each Dog’s Natural Pace and Physical Needs
Ever seen a photo of a pack walk with a Chihuahua, a Lab, and a corgi? Or puppies being walked alongside adult or senior dogs? Do you think those dogs all naturally walk at the same pace and have the same physical abilities?
When dogs are forced to match gaits, some have to rush and others have to hold back. This can cause stress on joints, discomfort, compensation, and even injury over time - especially for senior dogs, dogs with developing bodies, or those with subtle signs of pain that often go unnoticed. Add restrictive or aversive equipment like prong collars, slip leads, or head halters into the mix, and the risk of harm increases significantly.
And because dogs tend to mask pain, those signs may be missed entirely - especially when one person is managing a big group of dogs all at once. If a dog is sore or uncomfortable but still expected to march through an hour long walk on pavement, how do you think they’ll feel by the end? What does that mean for their long-term well-being?
We would never expect a grandmother, a toddler, a marathon runner, and someone with chronic pain or mobility challenges to all keep the same pace for an extended group hike. So why do we assume that’s appropriate for dogs? Every dog, just like every person, deserves to have their physical needs and limitations respected.
4. Most Dogs Don’t Want to Be That Close to Other Dogs
We’ve been taught to think dogs are highly social animals, and while some can be, most adult dogs are neutral or tolerant of other dogs at best. Dogs are individuals with different comfort levels, social preferences, and physical needs, and most wouldn't naturally choose being in tight quarters with other dogs for an extended amount of time. In fact, for a lot of dogs, being in close proximity to other dogs without the ability to make space can feel really overwhelming or threatening.
And when dogs can’t create space or communicate using body language - when they can’t move or turn away or use any other behaviors to increase distance without getting a correction - what happens? They shut down. It doesn’t mean they’re calm, happy, or relaxed. It just means they’ve learned that they don’t have any choices. Is that really what we want to teach our dogs?
5. Stress Isn’t the Same as Exercise
Some people say, “But my dog is so tired after their pack walk," or "They're so excited to go!" That may be true - but exhaustion from stress isn’t the same as healthy physical exercise. Stress burns energy fast. And if a walk is their only chance to get out of the house, of course they’re excited - it’s better than nothing. But we believe dogs deserve better than “not nothing.”
We know that for busy dog guardians, pack walks might seem like a convenient option, especially if your dog comes home and crashes out for the rest of the day. But it’s important to ask why your dog is so wiped out. Was it because they had the chance to move their body in natural, joyful ways? Or is it because they were pushed past their physical limits, or forced to navigate a high-stress environment for an hour straight?
A walk should give your dog the chance to decompress and leave them mentally satisfied, emotionally regulated, and physically fulfilled. There’s a difference between calm and exhausted, and understanding that difference can have a big impact on your dog’s overall well-being.
So What Should You Do Instead?
At High Tail Hikes, we encourage you to consider low stress enrichment walks, where the goal is to allow your dog to engage in natural behaviors and move their body freely. We encourage using non-restrictive equipment like a well-fitting harness and a long line to keep your pup safe while giving them the freedom to sniff and explore. The location, pace, and duration will look a little different for each dog, but overall, it’s not about covering a set distance or enforcing a rigid structure. It’s about an experience that leaves your dog feeling mentally and physically fulfilled - not so drained that they crash out from exhaustion.
The good news is that there are more and more dog professionals who offer these types of outings! If you plan to hire a dog walker, we recommend solo or small groups of well matched dogs, where your dog is treated like an individual. Ask the professional if their walks include non-restrictive equipment, freedom to sniff, pause, and observe, safe and slow introductions to other dogs (if any), positive reinforcement, and force-free handling.
Can training and engagement be part of an enrichment walk? Absolutely. But we don’t believe that training, obedience, or constant engagement should be the main goal of your dog’s time out in the world.
The amazing thing is that when dogs are in a low-stress environment and allowed to engage in natural behaviors -like sniffing, exploring, and moving freely - stress levels drop, and learning becomes much more accessible. Dogs naturally check in more often, engagement increases, connection deepens, and everyone has a lot more fun! And really, if that’s not what training our companion dogs is all about, then what is?
Final Thoughts
We know that for busy dog guardians, pack walks might seem like a convenient option. We also understand that dog professionals need to earn a living - and this business model can be highly profitable, scalable, and appealing in a crowded pet care market. But convenience and profit don’t always align with what’s best for dogs. Our goal isn’t to shame anyone - it’s to invite more curiosity and discernment. We want dog guardians to have a clearer picture of what’s actually happening on pack walks so they can make informed, values-aligned choices for their companions.
Pack walkers often credit a dog’s “calm” appearance to their own handling skills. But to us, true skill isn’t about how still or quiet a dog looks - it’s about how safe dogs feel in our care. It’s about how carefully a handler observes body language and behavior, how creatively they meet each dog’s individual needs, and how thoughtfully they allow for the safe expression of natural behaviors.
At High Tail Hikes, we believe that every dog is an individual with unique needs and preferences. Dogs deserve walks that feel good - where they can walk at a natural pace, sniff freely, move their bodies in ways that are comfortable, and process and engage with their environment on their own terms.